Don't meet me in your next life.

"If you feel I'm not qualified to protect you, then I'll make you see me in a new light, and fall in love with me again."

"Ji Shengting, don't you think your behavior is childish?"

Xiang Yi looked at him coldly, her tone mocking, "I don't believe you'd really fall in love with me."

"Then let's wait and see."

After saying that, Ji Shengting shook off her hand and strode out.

Xiang Yi stared at his back for a few seconds, then turned and went back to her room.

Xiang Yi didn't want to see Ji Shengting again, so she bought a plane ticket and went abroad.

She didn't go sightseeing anywhere, but went straight to the coffee shop that Ji Shengting had mentioned, the one she and Ye Mingze had arranged to meet.

She didn't know what she was waiting for.

Perhaps she was waiting for Ye Mingze to give her an answer.

But she didn't know which coffee shop Ye Mingze was in.

They had said they would meet at the place where they were set up on a blind date.

But when she arrived, she found nothing.

She sat in the coffee shop all afternoon, and finally decided to go home first, and then go to Ye Mingze's place.

However, she had just stepped out of the coffee shop when she saw Ji Shengting's car parked on the side of the road.

Her first instinct was to try to avoid it.

But Ji Shengting had anticipated her actions, so he quickly got out of the car and blocked her way.

"Ji Shengting, what exactly do you want?"

Xiang Yi frowned and asked somewhat impatiently.

Ji Shengting didn't answer her question, but instead asked, "Why did you come to a place like this?"

"I......"

Xiang Yi pursed her lips, unwilling to argue with him.

"It's dirty here, I don't want to waste my time with you."

With that, Xiang Yi walked around him and prepared to continue on her way.

Ji Shengting reached out and grasped her slender, fair wrist. "Are you avoiding me?"

"Ji Shengting, I don't need to avoid you."

Xiang Yi struggled.

Ji Shengting held her arm tightly, refusing to let go. His deep eyes revealed a dangerous signal, like a cheetah poised to pounce, waiting to hunt its prey.

Xiang Yi gritted her teeth and roared, "Let go!"

"If you don't like me, then just avoid me! Do you think I care to see you?!"

Ji Shengting released his grip, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.

She turned and walked towards her car.

Just as she bent down to get into the car, a black Lamborghini suddenly rushed from the side, grazing her car and kicking up a cloud of dust, which almost made her scream.

Xiang Yi slammed on the brakes, then leaned out of the car, still shaken, glaring angrily at the man inside. "Ji Shengteng, are you crazy?!"

Ji Shengting, his face cold, looked at Xiang Yiyi, "You may not care about your life, but I do. Do you know how dangerous that was? Didn't you know this was an overpass?"

As he spoke, he glared fiercely at Yi Yi.

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

Xiang Yi lowered her head, like a punished child, and muttered softly, "I'll watch myself from now on and won't run red lights anymore."

"Later? Do you think I'll give you another chance? Your every word and action is under my surveillance. Every utterance you make must be approved by me! Otherwise... I'll show you whether I have the right to discipline you!"

"..."

Xiang Yi bit her lower lip and said no more.

After Ji Shengting finished speaking, he started the engine and drove away.

As Xiang Yi watched his car disappear from sight, she suddenly felt a sense of emptiness in her heart.

He said he wouldn't give her another chance, which meant he wouldn't help her solve the company's problems anymore...

Ji Shengting, what should I do?

Xiang Yi lowered her head, looked at her fingers, and fell into deep thought.

--

By the time they returned to the Ji family's old residence, it was already dark.

In the living room, only a dim wall lamp was lit.

As Xiang Yi walked in, she didn't see Ji's father and mother, but she did see Ji Shengting.

She paused for a moment, somewhat puzzled.

Ji Shengting raised his eyes, gave her a cold glance, and then looked away.

What are you doing here?

Xiang Yi asked him.

Why can't I be here?

He asked rhetorically.

"Your wound hasn't healed yet, so it's not advisable for you to travel long distances. Tell me where you're going, and I'll take you."

As Xiang Yi spoke, she tried to step forward and pull him away.

"I don't need you to deliver it, get lost!"

Ji Shengting appeared very agitated. He suddenly shouted, startling Xiang Yiyi.

Xiang Yi frowned and stopped walking.

"Don't do this, I'm just worried about your wound."

Upon hearing this, Ji Shengteng sneered, "Xiang Yiyi, I really don't understand, are you genuinely stupid or just pretending! Didn't you hate me so much? Now you're concerned about whether I live or die. Let me tell you, I don't need it!"

"Ji Shengteng, you can't think of me like that! I only overlooked what you did to me because of your injury! It's fine if you don't appreciate it, but you can't insult my concern for you!"

Xiang Yiyi got angry too. She glared at him and angrily accused him of distrust.

"What did I do to you? You mean the forced kiss? Aren't you already used to what I do to you?"

Upon hearing him bring this up, Xiang Yi felt an overwhelming sadness, and tears instantly filled her eyes. "Ji Shengting, I admit you are indeed gentler and more considerate to me than others, but can you please stop getting angry at me all the time! I was just worried about your injury!"

"Worried? Heh..." Ji Shengting chuckled twice.

"Xiang Yiyi, do you think I've become particularly easy to bully now? I'm injured and lying in bed, unable to do anything, so you think I'm completely vulnerable, is that it?"

When Xiang Yi was questioned by him, she was immediately speechless.

Ji Shengteng looked at her for a while, and seeing that she remained silent, he sneered, "Since you don't want to be associated with me, I won't force you. I hope you remember clearly, you are not worthy!"

Xiang Yi's heart ached as if pierced by needles.

She looked at him, tears streaming down her face.

"Ji Shengting... I know you don't love me, but... why are you saying this to me..."

Did I say something wrong?

Ji Shengting raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile curving his lips.

His eyes were as cold as ice blades.

Xiang Yi felt a chill run down her spine.

She sniffed and shook her head. "No... I don't blame you..."

Ji Shengting stared at her without saying a word.

Xiang Yi sniffed, lowered her head, and turned to leave.

Ji Shengting's gaze was somber as he watched her slender, frail figure recede into the distance, finally disappearing through the doorway...

In the evening, Xiang Yi sat in front of the computer as usual, drawing blueprints.

Whether it was because of her deep sorrow or the torment she had endured during this period, Xiang Yi painted for a long time, remaining only on the frame of that painting.

She picked up a paintbrush and began to scribble on the paper, feeling increasingly exhausted with each stroke.

In the end, she put down her paintbrush.

"Why......"

Xiang Yi sighed deeply.

She's been completely out of sorts all day; she's practically driven crazy...

"Ding-dong ding-dong--ding--"

The phone suddenly rang.